[nattsgirl]

I'm a MAJOR clean freak! Of course, there are days, I hate to get up and clean or just dont have the energy... but, then there are times I will clean clean clean. My place is always nice though. My definition of dirty, is like jeans on the ground and a shoe off the shoe rack haha.

Perhaps this will change when I have kids.. but I doubt it, I have a huge OCD when it comes to keeping things clean.

[FreebieMama]

I agree about little boys being very go-go-go! I have a 4 year old DD and a 2 year old DS. When DD was 2, she was very energetic, climbing and into everything. OMG, DS is so much worse. Dump and go describes him perfectly. I clean the kitchen and come out to a trashed living room. I'm worn out just trying to keep up with the daily, cooking, dishes and laundry. By the time they are sleeping, I want to crash.

I used to be a very organized person, and I'm having to learn to live with imperfection. Right now, I'm trying to pare down the clutter, get rid of outgrown toys and clothes, and donate a bunch of stockpile to make room for the next round.

The kids do help with dishes and laundry, and if they spill something, I make them vacuum it up. And DD makes her bed on her own every morning.

[hcsig]

I swear my DH is worse than my DD and the 2 cats combined. She is definately a dump and go kid, and NEVER stops moving. My countertops actually have baskets on them because I can't keep anything in the drawers other than silverware, and cooking utensils because she dumps and hides things all over the house for future use.

But she loves to help mommy so I take advantage of that, she is responsible for helping to put her folded clothes in the correct drawers...they may not be folded by the time they get to the drawers but they are in the drawers (at least for 5 min). She puts the silverware away while I empty the dishwasher and has to help mommy pick up the toys and put them away. She just turned 2 in May and I started having her help with chores at 18 months so it is never too early. If I notice that she is helping out more than normal, I attempt to do something special that day or the next morning with her.

Now DH on the other hand... He gets told on a regular basis that he is old enough to pick up his own stuff, throw his own trash away, etc. I swear not a day goes by that I am not moving his combat boots out from the middle of the floor, throwing some type of trash away that he left on the countertop or in the livingroom, hiding the pens that he left out within DD's reach. About once a month I go through the house with a laundry basket and collect all his extra stuff that has just been laying around and put it on his side of the bed...as sad as it is to say it usually fills most of the laundry basket.

Although that being said he has started helping me out more on the weekends, partially because by then I am just exhausted. He has taken over most of the laundry duties (other than folding) and has even started doing the dishes on the weekends, I can't even describe how much that helps.

I have learned to settle for a clean appearance before I go to bed than a spotless/perfect house. I would rather let DD have fun and play most of the day, we pick up toys before nap time and bedtime. I also usually do the dishes while I am cooking dinner and most of the other stuff gets done during nap time or when I get motivated.

[up2late2]

Flylady is pretty good, I couldn't get past having to put my shoes on first thing in the morning. I just skipped over that part and used the planning.

I usually wait to pick up the toys after DS2 has gone to bed. If (and that is a big if) I get everything picked up at night I vacuum first thing in the morning. It has gotten so much harder to keep everything clean since the weather warmed up. I feel guilty making the kids stay in so I can clean. But I am always behind on cleaning by Friday, then I have to do shopping. I refuse to do a lot of cleaning on Fridays, just going to the store with kids wears me out. I do the minimum like picking up toys and dishes.

I love DH, but he drives me crazy. He'll come in from work and say something like, "We need to get the kitchen cleaned." WE? WE? The man has washed dishes twice that I can remember in the 12 yrs we have been together.

[pippi779800]

I am with you and I have 5 kids, 2 dogs and 2 kittens. I am so unmotivated and exhausted I don't have energy to do anything and I can't stand my house to be messy. Some days even a simple throwing clothes in a machine is hard. I have asked and begged hubby and kids for help and I can get him to help once in a while but forever it has always been up to me to get and do everything..